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Selling the district energy proposition to IBM required a special skill and a special relationship they had with our original team including City Council. Not so much that district energy had operational advantages for customers (IBM already had positive experiences from other locations) but the fact that they would trust a new utility created by the City of Markham to deliver efficient and reliable energy services to a critical IBM facility for 20 years or longer.

The International District Energy Association’s (IDEA’s) 106th Annual Conference and Trade Show wrapped up on July 1st, and what a few days it was. I was honoured to begin my term as chair of IDEA at the conference. As chair I have the unique opportunity of selecting a theme for the upcoming year. Building on recent IDEA conference platforms, I have introduced the theme “Embracing Change.”

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency (C2E2) launched its most recent report, District Energy in Cities: Unlocking the Potential of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy on February 26, 2015. The Report discusses how local authorities can develop energy efficient and climate-resistant district energy systems as one of the most cost-effective solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

I have just returned from a major district energy conference in Seattle, the 105th Annual Conference of the International District Energy Association (IDEA). Every year, the incoming IDEA Chair is charged with the task of presenting a relevant theme for the coming year. Ken Smith, this year’s IDEA Chair and CEO of District Energy St. Paul (MN), has presented his theme, Inspiring the Next Generation. There could not be a more relevant topic at this time.

On April 11, 2014 the City of Markham hosted its first Smart City Forum. This inspiring event brought together a diverse group of participants from sectors that included health care, energy, government, information technology, and more. As panelists addressed Smart City innovations, the Forum’s agenda essentially addressed the question “what makes a Smart City?”

About the blog

The Blog is intended to be interactive and provides an outlet for our thoughts on what might be important to our customers, our industry and our City. If you agree or disagree or would simply like to debate a point, just click on “Respond to a Blog Posting” and this will send me a personal email.

About the blog author

Bruce Ander has served as President & CEO of Markham District Energy since 2002. Ander has over 30 years in Ontario’s energy sector and is immediate past chair of the International District Energy Association.